Public-finance

The 7 Universal laws is easy reading which is good because you will want to refer to it constantly. The ideas presented are the kind which make you wonder why you hadn't seen it so clearly before. Simply useful.

this book is very simple, and interesting. this book for evey one working with people. you will learn

A lucid, light read that offers powerful insights. This book is a must for the business or marketing person's reference library. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Leaders struggle today with the volume and complexity of human relationships as well as the aspects of their jobs that don't directly involve people. Increasing demands challenge us with continual complications, too many choices, speed of change and action, and the sense of being caught in a whirlwind that defies the concept of life-work balance. We're expected to have all the answers, preferably before anyone else thinks about asking the questions.

Combine this gerbil-in-a-cage metaphor with the uncomfortable fact that most leaders haven't learned enough about leadership, and you have a dangerous combination. What is leadership? How is it different from being a manager? How can leaders keep their finger on the pulse of what's happening, inspire others to high achievement, guide their team members through difficult decisions, and still have time to actually finish a cup of coffee while it's still warm?

The solution is disarmingly simple: Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Ask some more questions. Give good answers to questions asked by others.

Easier said than done. There's an art to effective move-us-forward questions and answers. The secrets are in Chris Clarke-Epstein's book. She provides us with 78 valuable questions, but doesn't stop there. In addition to gaining a fine list of questions , we benefit from an explanation of the importance of the question, how to ask it well, and what might be accomplished through the questioning technique. The style is friendly, conversational, and supportive, seasoned with short stories or vignettes that illustrate the many helpful suggestions and observations offered by the author.

The book's chapters are organized to categorize the questions and the commentary surrounding them. The first category, presented after a few pages of positioning, addresses questions leaders need to ask themselves. Chapter 2 presents questions leaders need to ask customers. The third and fourth chapters explore questions to be asked of employees-lots of creative stuff here.

In Chapter 5, we ponder questions to be asked in special situations: new employees, coaching and mentoring, newly promoted leaders, and crisis. Questions leaders need to answer are followed by answers for special situations. What a handbook! You can read this book straight through as I did, or use it for reference (as I will). The last chapter talks about delivering tough answers, sometimes a difficult proposition for leaders. More questions are suggested in the appendix and a website has been established to continue the question-building process. An index facilitates reference. The Suggested Reading list is a bonus.

The book is peppered with quotes about questions and answers that reinforce the points and/or give the reader something more to think about. At the end of each chapter are questions and worksheets for the reader, encouraging some deeper thinking and reflection. Overall, a worthwhile book for leaders-and aspiring leaders-to read, absorb, and keep handy.

If someone had handed this book to me the day before my first leadership role, I would have been better at my job.

If I had read this book before the big crisis in my organization, I would have handled things differently, and been more effective.

If I had put to the test the questions that Chris Clarke-Epstein writes about, I would have been more satisfied with my work as a leader...and stayed with it.

This book is extremely readable, and yet challenging. It made me look at leadership not as a mantle to wear, but rather as a process of becoming. The act of questioning - in reality of questing - for what you, your organization, your employees, and your customers want, need, and desire is laid out with specific things to ask, and how to answer them.

78 Important Questions does not come with an answer section like a 10th Grade textbook. This is the kind of book where you have to find your own answers. Good thing the leader of the journey intersperses advice, stories, and encouragement in between queries.

I don't think this is a book for the feint of heart. If you're the kind of leader who basks in the status quo, then stay away. If however, you're not afraid of some work, of some personal soul-searching, and if you embrace change as a way to stay alive in business, then you need these 78 Important Questions.

Not until I read Chris Clarke-Epstein's book did I realize how important it is for leaders to ask good questions. I great resource for how to build relationships and develop leadership skills. A quick read, a must read, for all leaders who want to be more effective.

I wouldn't disagree with any of the other reviews, but it's a matter of personal preference where I spend my money. I wouldn't spend it on this book. Once you focus on what you want to accomplish (ie., "shake-em-up"), you could come up with a lot of these challenges. "If your company were a car...If your company were a footbal team.." and so on. In a word, analogy. I've found in workshops I've conducted, whether they're on Creativity, Problem-Solving, Leadership, or other topics, I'll use this "provocative" technique maybe once or twice in a full day. Beyond that the novelty has worn off.

Much of the text that accompanies each question is also a little repetitious - the "war stories" all start to sound alike.

I was surprised at how useful this book is. When I first looked at it, I thought the questions looked obvious and simplistic, but they work very well to start off team meeting sessions. The authors provide lots of good ideas about how to use them, and little anecdotes to inspire you to believe that the questions can actually change the way you do business. I've used them for meeting kick-offs and to jump-start moribund discussions.

I conduct workshops and train trainers, and this book is full of great questions to facilitate participant dialogue.

My team and I are constantly on the lookout for fun and interesting ice breakers and energizers. This book is a good resource. After each question, a "war story" and a "user's manual" section appears, with useful how-to information.

I recommend "75 Cage-Rattling Questions."

A SNORE!!!! Geez this CD audio set was AWEFUL!! I literaly threw it in the trash as was too embarressed to give it away to anyone knowing I'd spent good money on it. Yes, I bought it or would NOT be able to comment here.
For a speaking aid, it had a huge political agenda to it that I DID NOT appreciate.
Some educational items/lessons are profound and stay with you all your life, there is nothing here that will stay except the VISA bill until you pay it off for this ripoff.
This old lady is a wash...find something current and revelant.

Yes, the 7 steps can teach people in all types of careers and lifestyles to improve their oral communications skills but some of her methods are a bit "out there". For example: learning to focus on your voice as an instrument. The CD includes examples and anecdotes from Wilder's own work, and a number of exercises to help the reader implement the ideas set forth. If you're looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, join Toastmasters and skip this CD.

As part of my Lotusphere preparation, I've been reading 7 Steps To Fearless Speaking by Lilyan Wilder. She's a communication consultant who has coached a number of broadcast correspondents. In this book, she outlines seven steps to take in order to become a more effective public speaker. The seven steps are: Experience Your Voice; Get A Response And Structure Your Thoughts; Establish A Dialogue; Tap Your Creativity; Learn To Persuade; Achieve Your Higher Objective; and Give The Gift Of Your Conviction.

It's not a "short-cut" or "quick fix" book, in that she has exercises that you need to work through to get the most benefit from the program. However, if you're willing to work at it and follow the path she lays out, you will emerge as a more confident and composed speaker when you find yourself called upon to speak in front of a group.

The first edition of Marcia Yudkin's "6 Steps to Free Publicity" showed me that getting publicity was possible, and how to get started. My first press release got one of my seminars featured in the Houston Chronicle. Since then, I have appeared on television and radio numerous times, and in local and national publications including Black Enterprise, Bottom Line Personal and Woman's Day.

The new "6 Steps" includes all the great information that made the first edition a classic, with lots of updates. Many of the updates show how to incorporate Internet strategies into your publicity campaign, and there are new tidbits, examples and resources throughout the book.

Publishing articles has been a very effective strategy for me, and my current marketing plan calls for a more structured and ambitious effort in this area. The details in chapter 8 will be invaluable as I launch this part of my marketing program.

Marcia Yudkin knows her subject, and communicates it well. Marcia has been a mentor to me for years through her writing. I have long suggested her books to colleagues and clients, and strongly recommend this book. So, what are you waiting for? Click the button and add "6 Steps to Free Publicity" to your shopping cart. You won't regret it. See you in the news!

Marcia Yudkin is a name that shows up in a lot of places when it comes to marketing. When you want a million dollar marketing plan but have a thousand dollar budget her name is the first one on many lips. In "6 Steps to Free Publicity" she shares some insight into the various methods of getting free or low-cost publicity. Whether it's writing articles, becoming a recognized expert, driving traffic to your website, or getting testimonials it's all covered in this book. One of the more useful chapters is the one on creative ways to find new marketing angles, images, and exploits for your products or services. If you want to understand the principles of inexpensive publicity techniques you can't go wrong with this book. If you are responsible for the publicity program for your business you will find the book a great resource. After reading "6 Steps to Free Publicity" you will probably want to follow up with a visit to her website (www.yudkin.com/marketing.htm) for more information and tips. This is a recommended purchase for anyone trying to gain a high level of visibility with a shoestring budget.

I recently purchased "6 Steps to Free Publicity". I had not finished more than 60% of the book before I noticed my first opportunity for free media attention, an article in the largest newspaper in our state. The article hit a hot button in my industry, and I saw an opportunity to expand on the article and be a resource for the media. I wrote a response letter using Marcia's suggestions in "6 Steps to Free Publicity," I suggested a follow up article that I would like the paper to write, and received a detailed and enthusiastic reply from the journalist, which included an offer to use me in the article. I know that without "6 Steps," I would not have seized this opportunity. Nor, would I have known the proper format to offer my suggestions.

"6 Steps" is an easy read that offers practical tips that will help eliminate your fears of contacting the media. In addition, it offers a wide range of ideas, examples, and stories to apply to all situations of publicity and all personality types. If you have a desire to get the word out about your product, service, organization, or yourself you owe it to yourself to purchase this book.